Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 3 · Karma Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 3.8 नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो
श्लोक 3.8
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः ।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः ॥
niyataṃ kuru karma tvaṃ karma jyāyo hyakarmaṇaḥ |
śarīrayātrāpi ca te na prasiddhyedakarmaṇaḥ ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
तुम अपना नियत कर्म करो, क्योंकि कर्म न करने से कर्म करना श्रेष्ठ है। कर्म के बिना तो तुम्हारे शरीर का निर्वाह भी नहीं हो सकता।
Meaning in English
Do your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Without action, even the upkeep of your body would not be possible.
Bhagavad Gita 3.8 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| नियतम् | niyatam | prescribed, your own duty |
| कुरु | kuru | do |
| कर्म | karma | work, action |
| त्वम् | tvam | you |
| ज्यायः | jyāyaḥ | better |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| अकर्मणः | akarmaṇaḥ | than inaction |
| शरीरयात्रा | śarīra-yātrā | the maintenance of the body |
| अपि च ते | api ca te | even your |
| न प्रसिद्ध्येत् | na prasiddhyet | would not be possible |
| अकर्मणः | akarmaṇaḥ | without action |
Explanation
Do your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Without action, even the maintenance of your body would not be possible.
Arjuna had asked why, if knowledge is higher, he should act at all. Krishna's answer is practical: no one can live without acting, and running away from duty is not spirituality. The Gita's path is to act — but in the right spirit.
भावार्थ
तुम अपना नियत कर्म करो, क्योंकि कर्म न करने से कर्म करना श्रेष्ठ है। कर्म न करने से तो तुम्हारे शरीर का निर्वाह भी नहीं हो सकेगा।
Living it today
When you feel like avoiding a duty, remember that doing it, even imperfectly, is better than escaping it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 3.8?
Do your prescribed duty, for action is better than inaction. Without action, even the maintenance of your body would not be possible.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 3.8?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 3 (Karma Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 3.8 in daily life?
When you feel like avoiding a duty, remember that doing it, even imperfectly, is better than escaping it.
Reflected on verse 3.8?
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